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Shivkumar Sharma-Biography, Career, Albums, Awards

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Biography

The santoor, earlier a folk instrument only known by Kashmiris, is now popular in Indian classical music, thanks to Shivkumar Sharma. A legendary figure of Indian classical music, his efforts help make it more prominent in Indian popular culture.

Shivkumar Sharma was born on 13 January 1938, in Jammu. His father, Uma Dutt Sharma was a musician. He taught his son vocals and table when he was only five years old. He was then introduced to the santoor, a folk instrument from Kashmir with its origins in Persia at the age of thirteen. At the time it was quite unknown in Indian classical music. His first public santoor performance in Bombay for which he received thunderous applause from the audience.  

Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma Discography | Discogs

Family

Shiv Kumar Sharma was married to Manorama and together they had two sons, Rahul and Rohit. Rahul Sharma was taught the santoor at the age of thirteen by his father, at exactly the same age Shivkumar Sharma’s own father taught him. Shivkumar and Rahul Sharma frequently performed together. Rahul Sharma has established himself as a prominent santoor player in his own right and continues his family legacy.

The World on a Santoor string - Bandra Buzz

Career

He started his career playing the santoor alongside his father and recorded his first album in 1960. Performing at various venues in Mumbai increased the popularity of the santoor in the Indian classical music scene at the time.

Shivkumar Sharma composed the background music for a scene in V. Shantaram’s film, Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje.

Through these performances he met some of his longest collaborators such as table player Zakir Hussain and flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia. With the latter, they performed as the duo Shiv-Hari and were one of the most successful in Indian classical music. Their 1967 album, Call of the Valley is considered by many to be the best Indian classical albums ever produced and received praise from music legends such as Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Bob Dylan and David Crosby.

Shiv-Hari composed the music for several Bollywood films, mainly those of Yash Chopra which they received further acclaim for. The first was the Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha starrer Silsila. Others included Faasle, Chandni, Lamhe and Darr.

However, he wanted to keep his focus on classical music rather than music for films. He felt that Indian classical music was not merely a form of entertainment but a spiritual experience.

Shivkumar Sharma performed actively, until his death in 2022, at the age of 81.

Santoor maestro Pt Shivkumar Sharma passes away

Shivkumar Sharma Albums

Year

Title

1964

Santoor & Guitar with Brij Bhushan Kabra

1967

Shivkumar Sharma (re-released in 2005 as "First LP Record of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma"

1967

Call of the Valley with Brij Bhushan Kabra and Hariprasad Chaurasia

1982

When Time Stood Still! With Zakir Hussain

1987

Rag Madhuvanti & Rag Misra Tilang with Zakir Hussain

1988

Hypnotic Santoor

1991

Maestro's Choice, Series One

A Sublime Trance

The Glory of Strings

Raga Purya Kalyan with Zakir Hussain

1993

Rag Rageshri with Zakir Hussain

Raga Bhopali vol I

Raga Kedari vol II

Varshā – A Homage to the Rain Gods

1994

Sound Scapes, Music of the Mountains

Hundred Strings of Santoor

The Pioneer of Santoor

Raag Bilaskhani Todi

A Morning Raga Gurjari Todi

Feelings

1996

The Valley Recalls - In Search of Peace, Love & Harmony with Hariprasad Chaurasia

The Valley Recalls - Raga Bhoopali with Hariprasad Chaurasia

Yugal Bandi with Hariprasad Chaurasia

1999

Maestro's Choice, Series Two

Sampradaya

Rasdhara with Hariprasad Chaurasia

2001

Saturday Night in Bombay – Remember Shakti with John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, and many others musicians. Composed Shringar

2002

Ananda Bliss with Zakir Hussain

The Flow of Time with Zakir Hussain

Sangeet Sartaj

2003

Vibrant Music for Reiki

2004

Sympatico (Charukeshi – Santoor)

2004

The Inner Path (Kirvani – Santoor

2007

Essential Evening Chants with Hariprasad Chaurasia

 

Shivkumar Sharma Awards

1- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1986)
2- Padma Shri (1991)
3- Padma Vibhushan (2001)
4- Platinum Disc for Call of the Valley
5- Platinum Disc for the music of the film Silsila
6- Gold Disc for the music of the film Faasle
7- Platinum Disc for the music of the film Chandni
8- Pandit Chatur Lal Excellence Award (2015)

 

Check Out The Profiles of Some Other Indian Classical Musicians

Interesting Facts

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